The Smart Meter Communication Licensee Administration (England and Wales) Rules 2020

Action where person excluded

39.—(1) In this Rule and Rules 40 and 41 an “excluded person” means a person who has taken all steps necessary to attend a meeting under the arrangements which—

(a) have been put in place by the convener of the meeting under section 246A(6) of the 1986 Act; but

(b) do not enable that person to attend the whole or part of that meeting.

(2) Where the chair becomes aware during the course of the meeting that there is an excluded person, the chair may—

(a) continue the meeting;

(b) declare the meeting void and convene the meeting again; or

(c) declare the meeting valid up to the point where the person was excluded and adjourn the meeting.

(3) Where the chair continues the meeting, the meeting is valid unless—

(a) the chair decides in consequence of a complaint under Rule 41 to declare the meeting void and hold the meeting again; or

(b) the court directs otherwise.

(4) Without prejudice to paragraph (2), where the chair becomes aware during the course of the meeting that there is an excluded person, the chair may, in the chair’s discretion and without an adjournment, declare the meeting suspended for any period up to one hour.